Quick author's note: I write with movie Aro in mind. His human age is mentioned in this chapter, that's why I say this. Also, this is still a ways away but, for the month of July updates will be slowing down. I'm participating in Camp NaNoWriMo with an original novel, so that will take priority. Anyway, enjoy the sexy Aro time that wasn't supposed to be in this chapter! xD

Chapter Twenty-Four

Aro stood when the sturdy wooden doors opened, and a frown threatened to cross his lips when he saw Demetri and Felix were unaccompanied. Demetri stepped closer, "Master, Vladimir and Stefan refused your summons."

Obviously. Caius stood, "Then we shall go to them, and they will regret it."

Aro held up a hand to silence him, "And what of the newborns?"

"Exterminated. No sign of Sevastian."

He tapped his fingertips in front of him as he paced, deep in thought, "I agree they should be punished, but now is not the time. Go to them again, tell them it's their last chance to comply or there will be consequences."

The two bowed out and Caius turned to glare, "You intend to let them get away with it?"

"Of course not," Aro replied without turning to face him, "But we must not make rash decisions at the present time. Do keep in mind the current condition of our mates-"

"No, not our mates. Your mate," Caius interjected. Aro continued as if he hadn't heard, "One mere weeks from birth. Both vulnerable. Vampires are strongest while newborn. Waiting until after their change will be to our advantage."

"Assuming there's no other surge in newborns. If they do so again, we must act."

Aro sighed, "Agreed."

Rosetta groaned, "I don't know how women can do this for forty weeks."

I thought she was being a little over dramatic, though her stomach was quite large and she did look very uncomfortable. She now measured the equivalent of thirty-six weeks. Only one week away from her c-section and, hopefully, transformation. But she had the utmost confidence in Carlisle, and was more terrified of becoming a mother than potentially dying. I placed my hand on my significantly smaller bump. I had a check up the previous day and was measuring twenty-four, exactly as I was supposed to be. Aro liked to lay with his head against my belly, listening to the gallop of the baby's heart. He would talk to it and draw patterns on my skin with his index finger and baby would follow with his foot. Aro was completely enamored with this child. It made me sad that I didn't feel the same.

I only shrugged. She pushed herself up to look at me, "You okay, Ash?"

"Aro's so excited for this baby," I rubbed my stomach.

"Of course he is. He finally got his way like the spoiled brat he is. I take it you're not?"

It was kind of odd hearing her call a perpetually forty-something year old man a brat. I shook my head and my heart ached, "I want to be, but I just...feel nothing. This will be the only pregnancy I get to experience. I wanted to enjoy it. So why don't I?"

Rosetta snorted, "Because your mate's a jerk."

She must not have liked the way I stared at her. She scoffed, "Come on, Ash! Look at all the shit he's done! He's assaulted you, he's taken advantage of you, he's manipulated you. How many times hasn't he lied to you? He basically set you up to unhappy producing his spawn."

I flinched. She was right, and I knew it. But I wasn't in the mood for it. I stood and Rosetta frowned, "Ash, don't leave."

My smile was weak, "I'm not upset with you, Rosetta. I just want to be alone for a bit."

She pouted as I closed the door behind me.

I stared at the ceiling as I thought, rubbing my belly. It stung to realize Aro had stolen this from me. Having children had always been part of my plan. Kids were an absolute joy. I couldn't wait to have a big and round tummy, to have a baby shower, to experience labor and giving birth. Hearing the first cries, getting to hold him. I wasn't going to get to experience any of that. I'd be unconscious for the birth and writhing in pain for three days after. Assuming everything goes according to plan. But what hurt the most was not having that bond with my rapidly growing baby. Because of my broken relationship with Aro.

But. He had changed these last few weeks. Diligently caring for me, though I was still mad at him for holding me down for the feeding tube. He never commented on my thoughts, which leads me to believe he really is staying out. The games seemed to have settled down. At least when it came to manipulating me into having sex with him. There hasn't been much opportunity for any others he may play. A big thing he had yet to prove was being honest. Lying came so naturally to him I wasn't sure he'd be able to stop.

My thoughts were interrupted by a light thump beneath my hand. I pat my stomach, "I know this isn't your fault. It's not fair how it's affecting us. But we'll get there."

There was another kick. I smiled.

I didn't even hear when Aro came in. The sudden movement of the mattress alerted me and startled me. His lips pressed against my forehead, "I apologize, my dear. I hadn't expected you'd be asleep so early in the evening."

"I'm not feeling very well, is all," I lied. And I waited for him to call me on it, but he didn't. Instead, he got up to retrieve a syringe of blood to push through the feeding tube, "Is there something I can do for you?"

Not really. Considering I wasn't even ill. "Bath?"

Aro smiled before quickly kissing me. He went in to run the water. By the time I finally rolled off the bed and made my way there he was already undressed and waiting to help me in. Of course. I slipped off my nightshirt and put my hair up, carefully slipping the end of the feeding tube into the tie so it didn't get wet. I bet I looked incredibly sexy right now. He helped me in and sat, expecting me to rest my back against him. I straddled him instead. He smirked in delight, his hands on my hips.

I placed my head on his shoulder, a hand on his chest, and we sat that way for a long time. All the while, he rubbed my back comfortingly. Finally, I sighed, "Am I still...attractive?"

"Of course, mia cara," Aro whispered in my ear, "Why would you think otherwise?"

I pointed to the tube taped to my face, "This, for a start. I don't have much energy most days, no ambition to look presentable. It's been awhile..."

"What has?"

I shifted uncomfortably, "Us. Doing...that."

A laugh escaped him, amused by the fact I wouldn't actually say it, "You're still as beautiful as ever, my dear. As you said, you have been exhausted. I'm not going to push it on you. I'm capable of taking care of myself, should I need to."

He nipped my ear playfully, sending a shiver through me, "However, if you'd like to, you need only say something."

Except I didn't have to say anything. I simply nodded.

He leaned in, his mouth on my neck. My fingers combed through his chest hair as his kissing and sucking on my neck got a bit more aggressive. Hopefully this wasn't a bad idea. He lightly held my jaw, pulling my face down to his, his tongue darting into my mouth. His grip on my hips tightened and he pulled me closer so that I could feel his erection. It took barely anything to get this guy worked up.

I lifted up so he could slid beneath me and into me. He pulled at my waist as he thrust against me. He sighed, "Didn't you say you were ill?"

We were really going to talk about this right now? I moaned lightly, "I lied. I just didn't want to talk about it."

"I assume it's something to do with me, then?"

"Sshh," I hissed, claiming his lips before he could say anything more. He pushed himself as deep as possible and rocked his hips. I had no idea what he was actually doing or why it felt so good, but it did. I had to break the kiss so that I could gasp at the pleasure. That familiar pressure began to build in my core. Sensing this, he moved a bit harder, and it shoved me right over the edge. My breath came out in heaves as the orgasm shattered me. He hummed in satisfaction. Aro sat more upright, wrapping his arms around me as he resumed thrusting. It didn't take him much longer. A soft growl rolled through his chest as he pulsed inside me. He kissed me deeply, but much calmer now.

I'm pretty sure we both had somehow managed to forget we were in the bathtub. There was now a water mess to clean off the floor.